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Star Citizen Has Now Raised Over $250 Million, So What Now?

Star Citizen has raised over $250 million in crowdfunding, but the success raises many questions about community-based game funding.

Star Citizen got its first playable alpha testing back in 2013 and is still in development. Now that it’s seen huge pledges from the community, players want to know when the game will be finished – if it ever will be – thanks to issues in its development.

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Credit: Cloud Imperium Games

At the time of writing, the official website states that an eye-watering $251,372,710 USD has been raised by 2,449,651 backers. The site states: “As a crowd funded project, Star Citizen’s scope is based directly on the support provided by our backers. Money pledged goes directly to the game’s development.”

However, Star Citizen shows no sign of ever leaving its early stages. Earlier this year, the game’s story-based single-player campaign was once again pushed back and is now expected in the third quarter of 2020.

Credit: Cloud Imperium Games

On Reddit, gamers are asking the question: with $250m in the bank, why would the developers ever release the full game?

One user commented on the news, writing: “If anything, a full release would slow or stop their moneytrain. In an ‘alpha’ state, they can invite imaginations to run wild with possibility. Once released, the vision for the game is more or less defined and the imagined experience they’re selling is no longer sellable.”

Credit: Cloud Imperium Games

Another said: “The thing is, that even if the game releases and nails all of the promised features, it is still going to be very pay to win.

“New players will be at significant disadvantages as there are players that have already pumped ludicrous money into the game before it has even launched.

“You will always be at a disadvantage when compared to someone that bought the $27,000 ship pack.”

Credit: Cloud Imperium Games

The game can easily be compared to Fortnite, which is also technically still in beta. However, the main difference there is that Epic Games isn’t using crowdfunded money to keep its players entertained.

Let’s hope that Star Citizen’s developers are well on the way to releasing what could be one of the most ambitious and successful projects in video game history.

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